We present a weekly guide to help you choose the right agent.  This week, we ask what should your agent do for you?

If you’re a buyer your agent should introduce you to as many properties as possible that match your brief. This means: (1) Properties that meet your requirements, e.g. a studio flat, apartment or detached house, number of bedrooms, underground parking, etc. (2)  Within your price range. (3) Within your chosen areas.
If an agent keeps showing you properties that don’t meet your requirements, either they haven’t focused on your needs or you didn’t brief them properly.

If you’re a vendor your agent should do all they can within the law to get the best possible price for your property. Remember that you’re the boss, so keep a level head and don’t allow them to get pushy. (1) They should notify you of all viewings, preferably giving you 24 hours’ notice.  (2) They should call you on a weekly basis to provide you with feedback on enquiries, viewings or to update you on the progress of the sale of your property. (3) They should be in regular touch with all parties – buyers, sellers, solicitors and mortgage lenders – to make the deal as smooth and stress-free as possible. (4) They should be wise to any likely pitfalls. (5)  Finally, on the day of completion, they should be available to hand over the keys.

Greene & Co. predict a shortage of family homes in 2012 in London’s most popular family-friendly areas following a surge of registrations in the £1million price bracket. Demand for these properties around Crouch End, West Hampstead and Maida Vale, has increased by in the last three months of 2011 as families opt to stay in the capital to avoid escalating commuter costs.

David Pollock, Managing Director of Greene & Co. comments: “Homeowners who previously would have moved out of London with a young family are now remaining in the capital and this is creating a shortage of family homes. Buyers are looking for a permanent base which incorporates good schools and green spaces but also has a London village community feel with a host of decent restaurants, shops and quick commuter links to the capital.

Greene & Co. reports that many potential buyers have been forced to rent in the area until the right property comes up, leading to mortgage-ready applicants and chain free sales. Buyers are also happy to carry out modernisation and extend properties to suit their particular needs.

David continues: “We are hopeful that the start of 2012 will bring much needed family homes to the market. Sellers, many of whom will be downsizing after living in the area for some years, can expect a speedy and often chain-free sale. Such is the demand that we have been selling these homes at above the asking prices in the later part of 2011.”